In Cape Verde, CV Interilhas and the archipelago’s airline (TACV) are planning to integrate certain plane and ferry trips into a single ticket. The aim is to diversify the tourism offering while also meeting the needs of local residents. The heads of the two companies—CV Interilhas and Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde (TACV)—announced the plan this Friday on the island of Sal, on the sidelines of the annual investment forum in the archipelago.
The intermodality of public transport services has long been suggested by tourism operators as a way to diversify offerings and include all islands in travel packages available to visitors of the archipelago.
Currently, the 1.2 million annual tourists—one of the cornerstones of the country’s economy—are mainly concentrated on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista.
“Synergies are currently being identified by a joint working group from both companies,” said Fernando Braz de Oliveira, a board member of CV Interilhas. Schedules and routes are being analyzed to allow for coordination—so that a ship arrives on an island in time for passengers to catch a flight, or vice versa.
“For us, it’s perfectly feasible,” said Pedro Barros, president of TACV, also speaking at the event, noting that “a pilot test is already underway with Brava.”
Connections to Brava Island, which currently involve flying to the neighboring island of Fogo and continuing by sea (Brava has no airstrip), are expected to be the first to benefit from the integration, as there is already a ticket control system in place to apply the government discount introduced at the end of 2024 to make the destination more affordable.
Fernando Braz de Oliveira noted that CV Interilhas’ travel planning must comply with obligations outlined in the concession contract with the state, respecting both passenger and cargo needs and ensuring the supply of essential goods to some islands, while also considering the profitability of each route.
However, the company “has some flexibility” to adjust its operational model in coordination with the authorities.
By: RFI with Lusa
